Platen for writing machines



July 13, 1954 J. T. DAVIDSON PLATEN FOR WRITING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JOHN [DAVIDSON A l :ORNEY Filed Oct. 20.

July 1-3, 1954 J. T. DAVIDSON 2,683,519

PLATEN FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WW I I,

' INVENTOR JOHN I DA W050 July 13, 1954 J. T. DAVIDSON 2,683,519

PLATEN FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I F19. 1 19.17 I I w INVENTOR JOHN T DAVIDSON Patented July 13', 1954 PLATEN FOR WRITING MACHINES John T. Davidson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application October 20, 1949, Serial No. 122,459

11 Claims.

This invention relates to writing machine platen rolls and more particularly to a platen which is universally adaptable to various widths of record forms while maintaining positive control of the record strip feeding means associated with the platen.

The instant disclosure is primarily directed to platen rolls embodying pin type feeding means, although not necessarily limited thereto, in which the strip feeding means may be universally ad- J'usted longitudinally of a platen support and drive shaft, while maintaining positive control of the strip feeding means in any position of adjustment from a remotely located point which remains fixed in relation to the support shaft and writing machine, together with means for minutely adjusting the shaft through partial rotations independently of writing machine opera tion, such means being located eXteriorly of the machine framework to provide a greater writing area within the machine framework.

In platens heretofore used in such writing machines, the strip feeding means has been limited in its adjustment and degree of adjustment, the control therefor being mounted integrally with the strip feeding means and adjustable in unison therewith. Such platens have also included a variable or platen shaft adjusting means located within the machine framework, thereby reducing the amount of usable space within the framework for the inscription of desired data upon a record strip being advanced about the platen.

Thus, the object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of writing machine platens, whereby they may not only be economically manufactured, more efficient and satisfactory in use, uniform in action, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a readily accessible and simplified means of adjusting the strip feeding means from operative to inoperative position, and vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for so adjusting relatively spaced strip feeding means from a single control lever which remains fixed adjacent the writing machine frame.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate a multiplicity of exposed projecting parts and attachments heretofore necessary to adjust the strip feeding means from operative to inoperative position, and vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Vernier or auxiliary adjustment for the strip feeding means, whereby they may be minutely adjusted relative to one another and their supporting shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved interlock between the strip feeding means and their supporting shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide means capable of adjusting the strip feeding means relative to their supporting shaft without disengagement of the interlock between the shaft and the strip feeding means.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the record receiving area of the record strip into alignment with the imprinting means of the writing machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple positive means for adjusting linear align ment of the record strip with the imprinting means of the writing machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide positive means of minutely adjusting the supporting shaft relative to the line space mechanism of the Writing machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary platen for a writing machine having the advantageous structural features, inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein described.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a perspective view of an assembled writing machine platen embodying the present invention Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled platen from a different angle, parts thereof being broken away or shown in phantom outline;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 33 of Fig. 1 with parts of the writing machine being shown in phantom outline;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 5 with portions thereof being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig.6 is a transverse sectional view on line 5- -6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the left hand pin wheel body and its mounting;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the pin wheel body on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the pin wheel body showing its adjusting and latch mechanism;

Fig. 10 i a sectional view on line i'i-iii of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view-of a portion of the right hand pin wheel body;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of another portion of the right hand pin wheel body;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of another portion of the right hand pin wheel body, showing the parts of Figs. 11 and 12 in phantom;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view .of one of the parts shown in Figs. 12 and 13;

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are end views of the parts shown in Fig. 13, showing the parts in different positions of adjustment;

Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21 show modified forms of construction for the right hand pin wheel, Figs. 20 and 21 being end views of Fig. 19, with parts in section, showing different positions of adjustment, and Fig. 18 being a sectional view on line l8l8 of Fig. 20; and

Figs. 22 and 23 show details of the variable for linear adjustment of the strip feeding means into alignment with the imprinting mechanism of the Writing machine.

Like parts are indicatedby similar characters of referencethroughout the several views.

Referring to 'the' drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 thereof a perspective view of a complete platen assembly for a writing machine, comprising platen sectors I mounted upon spaced pin wheel bodies 23. The bodies Z--3 are adjustably secured to shaft 4 for unison rotation therewith, but are longitudinally adjustable thereon to accommodate platen sectors of various lengths.

The sectors I are held in assembled position about the bodies 23 by means of annular projections or terminal heads 6 upon supporting sleeves 4| and 42 and heldin position thereon by projecting pins 1. Each of the pin wheel bodies 2+3 enclose a plurality of reciprocating strip feeding pins 8 progressively engageable within the longitudinally disposed marginal feeding configurations 9 in a record strip Ill.

The operation of the pin wheel feeding unit is now, well known. Briefly, the unit comprises a series of reciprocating pins 8..carried by the bodies 2-3 for unison rotary motion therewith. During the greater portion of such rotary motion about the axis of the shaft 4, the pins are withdrawn within the periphery of thebody. At a specified point the pins are projected from the periphery of the body for engagement within the feeding configurations of the record strip passing about the platen. Reciprocatory motion of the pins is controlled by a cam !2 located within the body.

There is an operative and inoperative position of the cam, the pins 8 being projected from the periphery of the body in proximate relation with the writing position in the operative position and projected upwardly or rearwardlyat a point removed from the writing position in the inoperative position. Changefrom operative to inoperative, or vice versa, is controlled by oscillatory movement of the cam l2, the location of the high point thereof determining the point at which the vpins 8 are projected from the periphery of the -body2. the shaft 4 through engagement of projections it having an extended anchoring arm I! engageable with stud I8 which is fixed relative to the business machine. Disc i6 is slotted as at 19-20 through which extend studs 2I22 respectively, bymeans of which the gear I 5 is movably secured to the disc [6.

Gear is moved relative to disc it by movement of control lever l3 which is pivotally mounted upon stud 2i. The opposite end of lever 13 carries a release pin 23 movable through guide slot 2 from latch 25 to latch 25, or vice versa, latch 25 representing operative position of'the feeding pins 3 while latch 25 represents inoperative position. Lever i3 and pin 23 are biased into latch engaging position by leaf spring 27 fixedly anchored upon disc it.

The drive gear i5 is thereby held against rotation in unison with line space gear i i by disc l6 while being movablethrough a predetermined range of travel relative to the disc it by lever l3. Such movement is, however, entirely independent of the rotary movement of spacing gear 54.

Also mounted within spacing gear [4 and meshing with drive gear [-5 is a gear pinion 23 supported within a bushing plate 2%. Movement of the plate 29 longitudinally of the shaft 4 is prevented by shoulder 3% (Fig. 5) on shaft Rotative movement of plate 23 relative to shaft 4 is prevented by engagement of the plate within the longitudinally disposed recess 3| in the periphery of shaft 4.

Pinion 28 is fixed on a square drive shaft 32 which extends within recess 3! from such pinion lengthwise of the shaft :3, terminating in a fixed bearing plate'33 adjacent the opposite end of the shaft. Plate 33 is held in position upon the shaft by the recess 3! and a nut 34.

Mounted within each of the pin bodies 2-3 is a pinion -356'l, respectively, each pinion be ing mounted upon shaft 32 for unison rotary motion therewith. Each pinion is, however, longitudinally movable upon the shaft in unison with longitudinal movement of the pin bodies 2- -3 relative to the shafts 32 and 2.

Pinion 35 is supported in a plate 3'! mounted upon shaft ii for unison rotary motion therewith. Meshing with pinion 35 is the internally geared control cam [2 for progressively projecting and retracting theseries of feeding pins 8, both the pinion 35 and cam i2 being enclosed with the Body 2 is also rotated in unison with 38 on plate 31' within recesses 39 in the periphery of the body 2. This assembly, maintained in its unitary condition by alock ring id, is therefore fixed for unison rotary motion with shaft 4, but capable of longitudinal adjustment upon such shaft.

As supporting shaft 4 rotates in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) pinion shaft 32 is also carried about thecenter of shaft 4 as an axis while ro- .tating about its own axis in a counterclockwise gear 15, the pinion 35 is effective to oscillate cam 12 and thereby alter the point at which the feeding pins "8 are projected from operative to inoperative position, or vice versa.

The-cam controlpin the opposite pin body 3 is similar and will be described in greater detail later.

Not only does the present invention provide means for remotely controlling the position of the pin control cams, but it also provides means for universally adjusting the pin Wheel bodies 23 longitudinally of the supporting shaft 4. Heretofcre it has only been possible to move the pin Wheel bodies in fixed increments of longitudinal travel relative to the shaft 4 since the locating and locking grooves and projections on the shaft must of necessity be made of sufiicient cross sectional area to withstand the strain. The instant construction, however, provides for infinite adjustment of the pin wheel bodies to any desired position.

There is provided an independent interlock latch mechanism, generally designated as 45 adjustably secured to the shaft 4 at predetermined spaced intervals, to which the pin wheel body 2 is adjustably secured so that the pin wheel body may be moved relative to the latch mechanism 45.

The latch mechanism 45 comprises a nut 46 slidably mounted upon the shaft 4 and having a projection extending into the longitudinal recess 3! to prevent relative rotary motion of the shaft 5 and nut 46. Mounted upon the outer end of the nut 46 is a latch slide 4'! capable of limited reciprocation relative to the nut 46 and shaft 5. Normally biasing the slide upward into engagement with one of a plurality of notches 48 on the underside of the shaft in relation to the recess 3!, is a spring 39. The slide 41 is therefore normally engaged within one of the notches 1:3 to prevent longitudinal movement of the nut relative to the shaft 4. The slide may be depressed, however, by slight pressure upon the enlarged finger piece 50 thereof to permit sliding motion of the nut 46 on the shaft, after which the pressure is released and the nut again locked in fixed position relative to the shaft. This latch mechanism is enclosed by a cover 5| held in place by several screws 52.

Adjacent the end of the latch mechanism 45 opposite the nut 55 is a supporting sleeve 4| upon which the pin wheel body 2 and its associated parts are mounted for limited sliding movement. The sleeve M is also mounted on shaft 4 for free longitudinal motion relative thereto of limited extent. Such motion is controlled, and the exact positioning of the sleeve upon the shaft determined by means of a spacing sleeve 53 threadedly engaged with. the latch nut 46 and a projecting threaded portion 54 on sleeve 4|. The latch nut 45 and the threaded portion 54 of the sleeve are threaded in opposite directions so that rotation of the sleeve 53 in one direction will pull the sleeve toward the nut 46, while opposite motion of the sleeve 53 will produce opposite motion of the sleeve relative to the nut.

Development of this Vernier type adjustment mechanism permits fine adjustment of the pin wheel bodies (thousandths of an inch) along the supporting shaft 4, while the latch mechanism 45 remains engaged in the same notch 48.

Supplemental adjustment mechanism is also provided permitting desired adjustment of the pin wheel body 2 relative to the supporting sleeve 4i Thus, not only is the sleeve 4i adjustable lengthwise of the shaft d by sleeve 53, but the pin body 2 is also adjustable relative to the sleeve. Such supplemental adjustment mechanism includes and adjusting nut 55 received within the internally threaded peripheral flange .retaining ring 55', the nut 55 being free for rotary motion relative to sleeve 41.

Rotation of the nut 55 in opposite directions causes minute movement of the pin body 2 in opposite directions relative to sleeve 4 I, the extent of such movement being limited by clearance between the width of pin body 2 and the distance between the nut 55 and the terminal head 5 upon sleeve 41.

To prevent slippage of the nut 55, its transverse face is provided with a plurality of counter- ...sunk recesses 58, opposed pairs thereof being engaged by a pair of studs 59 carried by a plate spring 60, mounted on retaining plate 51. Such studs project through retaining plate 5! for engagement within the recesses 58 as such recesses are brought into alignment therewith. To facilitate adjustment of the nut 55, its outer pe riphery which is of the same diameter as the pin body 2, is knurled so that it may be easily grasped and rotated as desired or found necessary.

Now turning to the right hand pin wheel body 3 and supporting sleeve 42, this unit is simi lar in construction to that previously described in connection with the left hand pin wheel unit. The unit is anchored to the supporting shaft l by means of a latch unit 61 comprising a sleeve 62 which is supported upon shaft 4 in interengaging relation with the longitudinal recess 3| therein for unison rotary motion therewith. Diametrica-lly opposed projections 63 on the outer periphery of sleeve 62 are engaged within recesses 64 in the periphery of the pin body 3, thereby providing rotary motion to the pin body 3 in unison with rotation of supporting shaft 4, the sleeve 62 and body 3 being held together as a unit by screws 65.

Enclosed Within the body 3 is an internally geared cam 66 (corresponding to cam l2) and a pinion 61 (corresponding to pinion the pinion being supported upon shaft 32, while the cam is freely supported within the body 3. Thus, the pins 8 are forcibly ejected and retracted through the periphery of the body 3 as they are carried about the cam 66 during rotation of the unit. The pins are guided in such reciprocatory movement by grooves 63 in the pin body 3.

The shaft 4 is provided on its underside (opposite to the recess 3|) with a series of threadlike notches 69 throughout the area of movement of the pin body 3 and its associated parts. Cooperating with the threads 59 is a locking key 10 carried by an annular nut it supported upon sleeve 62 for rotary motion relative thereto. Projecting through notches 12 in the end of sleeve 62 are a pair of diametrically opposed extensions 13 of key Ill, such extensions projecting into an internally threaded surface of the nut II. The entire assembly comprising nut H and key 10 are retained on sleeve 62 by an annular retaining ring 14, the nut I! being free for rotative movement relative to the sleeve while rotative movement of the key 79 relative to sleeve 62 is prevented by the locking key extensions 63.

Located interiorly of the nut H are a pair of studs |5'|6, which upon engagement with key projections 13 provide stops for limiting the rotative movement of the nut H. Also located interiorly of the nut H adjacent the stop stud I6 is a recess or groove 71 into which one of the projections 13 may extend under certain conditions.

amia l To interlock the pin wheel assembly to supporting shaft 4 in desired position, nut I! is,

rotated in a clockwise direction, the lower projection l3 riding out of groove 11 simultaneously with the withdrawal of stud 75 from overlying engagement with the upper projection 13. Locking key it is thereby raised relative to shaft 4, bringing its threaded. lower portion into engagement with threads 69 on the underside of shaft 4. Continued counterclockwise rotation of the nut 'II moves the pin body 3 inwardly toward sectors I relative to key I by the internal threads within the nut ll. Such motion of nut II is continued until stop stud 15 engages the upper extension I3. To release the pin wheel assembly for longitudinal movement upon shaft the reverse operation takes place, whereupon stop stud 75 engages the upper projection T3 on key T0 thereby forcing the key downward relative to the shaft until the lower projection :3 contacts the bottom of recess ll, whereupon the key 50 is disengaged from the threads 62 upon shaft 4.

There is shown in Figs. 18 to 21 a modifica:

tion of the right hand pin wheel assembly in which the pin body may be minutely moved by rotation of a draw nut. In this modification the pin body 3 and associated sleeve 32 are mounted upon shaft 4, having enclosed therein by means of plate 80 the internal geared control cam 66.

with plate 80 by means of dog screws. 83 carried.

by the peripheral flange of plate 80 and projecting within a peripheral groove 85 on the draw nut 82. The opposite end of the draw nut 82 is internally threaded for engagement with the threaded end of a sleeve 85 which is releasably engaged with shaft 4, for longitudinal movement relative thereto. 'leeve 85 is, however, fixedly engaged with the shaft for unison rotary motion by means of an interiorly projecting extension 85' engageable within recess 3! of shaft 4.

To anchor sleeve 85 against longitudinal movement relative to shaft 4, a latch 88 is provided, such latch being ivoted upon sleeve 85 by means of a pivot screw 37. Latch 86, having a serrated or threaded surface for engagement with the threads 69 of shaft 3, is normally biased into shaft engagement by a spring 8% seated within a recess within the side wall of sleeve 85, the opposite end exerting pressure upon end- 89 of latch t6. Carried by draw nut 52 and projecting from a radial face thereof is a stud 90 which upon rotation of nut 82 in a counterclockwise direction engages end SE of latch 36 to thereby depress the latch against the yielding resistance of spring 88. Depression of latch 85 frees sleeve 85 for longitudinal movement upon shaft thereby permitting adjustment of the right hand pin wheel assembly 3 along shaft 4. Upon rotation of nut 82 in a clockwise direction, stud 90 is withdrawn from engagement with latch 86, whereupon the latch again reengages shaft 4 under influence of spring 88 to thereby lock the sleeve against movement longitudinally of shaft 4.

Power impulses transferred to line space ratchet I4 by the line space mechanismi em-..

ted to shaft 4 through a variable unit located at the extreme left end of shaft 4 outside the supporting frames 96 of the machine. Supported upon the end of shaft 4 is a tube 91, the inner end of which is splined as at 88 for positive driven engagement with the line space ratchet I4. Supported upon the tube 91 in enclosing relation therewith is a spacer tube 99, engageable at one end with the machine frame 96, while the other end thereof abuts a cover support 00 having an enlarged shoulder WI. The variable cover or actuating knob I02 is supported at one end upon the support disc I00 while the opposite end thereof issupported by a hub I 33 secured to shaft 4 by pin I04. Cover I92 is further retained in position by cover screw 94 engageable within the end of shaft 4.

Fixed on hub I03 is a drive plate I95 against which is located a notched disc I=35 also fixed to the hub I03; Adjacent disc I06 is a spacer member I 01, separating disc I06 from the end of tube 97. Upon pressing the cover I02 inwardly (toward the right of the figure) against the resistance of spring 508, internal boss I89 within cover I02 engages a thrust washer Ho. Inward movement of washer IIO brings the washer into contact with the enlarged shoulder upon a pin III while continued movement thereof retracts the pin III from the notched disc I86.

The number of pins III and the number of notches in disc I06 may be varied according to the degree of adjustment desired under influence of the variable 95. It is, however, necessary that the spacing between pins HI be different than the spacing between adjacent notches in the disc I06 and that the spacing between pins III be something other than a multiple of the notch spacing. With such arrangement, only one pin III is engageable within the notched disc I 06 at a time, since when one pin is so engaged, the other pins are. unaligned with the notches. The number of notches multiplied by the number of pins determines the number of possible adjustments during one revolution of the platen roll, and the amount thereof. In other words, the greater the number of pins and notches, the smaller the increment of adjustment available.

The pins III. are supported in spaced discs I I2-l I3 for reciprocatory motion relative thereto. Discs H2I !3 are keyed to tube '31 by engagement of diametrically opposed projections II4 within the notches H5 in the end of tube 91, and are held in spaced relation by the interposed spacer Washer IIO. Springs Ill interposed between the pins I II and disc I50 normally urge the pins into engagement within the notched disc I06.

Power supplied to the line space ratchet I4 is normally transmitted to the shaft 4 through tube 91, discs II2--I I3 and pins Hi to the notched disc I06, frornwhere it is transmitted to shaft 4. through hub I03. Removal of the pins HI from disc I06 interrupts such power transmission system, thereby permitting the cover I92 to actuate shaft 4 independently of the line space ratchet I4.

If desired the notched disc I06 may be mounted upon tube 9'? while the discs iI2iI3 and associated pins are mounted on hub i as. In such reversal of parts cover I92 and other parts are likewise reversed so that disengagement of the pins I I I from disc MB is accomplished by movement of cover I02 outwardly (to the left of the, figure).

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or Sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A universally adjustable platen roll for writing machines wherein a continuous strip of series connected detachable forms are progressively advanced past a writing position, including a supporting shaft, a pair of reciprocating pin type strip feeding devices adjustably supported upon said shaft in relatively spaced relation, latch mechanisms releasably engaging said strip feeding devices with said shaft in various positions of longitudinal adjustment thereon, means for individually adjusting the strip feeding devices longitudinally of the shaft relative to their re- 1 spective latch mechanisms, means for controlling reciprocation of the feeding pins, including a control shaft extending longitudinally of the apporting shaft within the periphery thereof,

a pinion within the strip feeding devices, said pinion being supported upon said control shaft for unison rotation therewith but freely adjustable longitudinally of the control shaft, a pinion controlled cam within the strip feeding devices,

rotation of which controls reciprocation of the feeding pins, the construction and arrangement being such that the operation of the control shaft controls reciprocation of the feeding pins in any position of longitudinal adjustment of the strip feeding devices upon the supporting shaft, means for actuating the supporting shaft including a driven gear, and actuating means for said control shaft distantly located in spaced relation to the strip feeding devices, including a lever, a ring gear secured thereto, a supporting plate for said ring gear, said plate being anchored to a rigid portion of the Writing machine, a pinion engageable within said ring gear and supported upon the control shaft for unison rotation therewith, said ring gear and pinion being enclosed within the driven gear of the supporting shaft actuating means, the construction and arrangement being such that oscillatory movement of the lever is transmitted through the ring gear and pinion to the control shaft.

2. A universally adjustable platen roll for a writing machine wherein a strip of record material is progressively advanced about the platen roll, including a supporting shaft, a pair of relatively movable strip feeding devices adjustably secured to the shaft for unison rotary motion therewith and movable relatively of the shaft in a longitudinal sense, said devices being in surrounding relation to the shaft, latch means securing said strip feeding devices against longitudinal movement relative to said shaft, means for longitudinally adjusting said strip feeding devices within a limited range relative to their respective latch means, actuating means for rotating said supporting shaft, and adjustable control means for the respective strip feeding devices operative from a fixed point immediately adjacent the shaft actuating means and distantly located in varying spaced relation to the individually adjustable strip feeding devices to adjust said devices from operative to inoperative condition and vice versa.

3. A universally adjustable platen for a writing machine wherein a record strip is advanced past a data recording position, including a rotary supporting shaft, actuating means therefor, a plurality of individual strip feeding devices adjustably secured to the shaft for unison rotary motion threwith, said devices being in surrounding relation to the shaft and longitudinally adjustable relative thereto' and to each other, an interlock carried by each strip feeding device for selective engagement with said supporting shaft, means for individually longitudinally adjusting said feeding devices relative to their respective interlocks, and means for simultaneously adjusting all of said feeding devices from operative to inoperative condition and vice versa, said adjusting means being located at a fixed point in distantly spaced variable relation to the individually adjustable strip feeding devices.

4. A unitary universally adjustable platen roll for a writing machine wherein a record strip is advanced past a data recording position, including a rotary supporting shaft, actuating means therefor, a plurality of individual strip feeding devices adjustably secured to the shaft for unison rotary motion therewith and further adjustably supported upon said shaft for longitudinal movement thereon, said feeding devices being in surrounding relation to the shaft, a detent carried by said strip feeding devices selectively engageable with the supporting shaft to lock said strip feeding devices against longitudinal movement, secondary adjusting means operative through a limited range for longitudinally adjusting the individual strip feeding devices relative to their detent, and a single control lever for simultaneously adjusting all of said strip feeding devices from operative to inoperative condition and vice versa, regardless of their position of longitudinal adjustment upon said shaft, said lever being located in fixed relation with the writing machine.

5. A universally adjustable platen roll for a writing machine, including a supporting shaft, a pair of reciprocating pin type feeding devices carried by said shaft in adjustably secured surrounding relation thereto and for longitudinal adjustment relative thereto and to each other, a pin control cam in each of said feeding devices having an operative and inoperative position in which the pins are projected for operative engagement with a record strip and idly projected in an inoperative position respectively, and means for simultaneously adjusting the control cam in each feeding device from a single point, said point being longitudinally spaced along the supporting shaft from both feeding devices.

6. A universally adjustable pin type platen roll for writing machines, including a supporting shaft, a pair of reciprocating pin type rotary feeding devices carried by said shaft for longitudinal adjustment relative thereto and to each other, a pin control cam in each of said feeding devices for projecting said pins relative to said platen roll, and means for rotating said cams to select the position in which said pins are projected, including a manually adjustable lever positioned adjacent one end of the supporting shaft in spaced relation with both of said feeding devices, a rotary geartrain also carried by said supporting shaft to one of which gears the manually adjustable lever is secured, a supplemental control shaft extending longitudinally of the supporting shaft within the periphery thereof, another gear of said gear train being connected to said supplemental shaft for unison rotation therewith, a pinion supported within each of the feeding devices fixed to said supplemental shaft for unison rotation therewith but free for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and an internal gear secured to said pin control cams within the feeding devices having driven engagement with said pinions, the construction and arrangement being such that movement of the manually adjustable lever is transmitted through the rotary gear train and the supplemental shaft to the pinion and control cam within each feeding device to thereby simultaneously adjust the control cam within each feeding device to select the position in which said reciprocating pins are projected from the periphery of the platen roll.

7. In a universally adjustable platen roll assembly for a writing machine, having a supporting shaft, a plurality of strip feeding devices, including a mounting sleeve adjustably secured to said shaft for unison rotary motion therewith, but capable of longitudinal motion relativethereto, and a strip feeding mechanism carried by said sleeve for unison rotary motion therewith but capable of longitudinal adjustment relative to said sleeve, a latch mechanism carried by said sleeve and engageable with the supporting shaft at predetermined points to secure said sleeve against unrestrained movement longitudinally of the shaft, means for minutely adjusting said sleeve relative to the shaft and latch mechanism comprising a rotary threaded coupling interconnecting said sleeve with said latch mechanism, and means for longitudinally adjusting the strip feeding mechanism relative to said sleeve comprising a second rotary threaded cou- 1 pling interconnecting the strip feeding mechanism and the sleeve.

8. In a universally adjustable, platen roll for a writing machine havingv a rotary supporting shaft, a strip feeding mechanism longitudinally 4 device relative to its mounting.

9. In a universally adjustable platen roll for a writing machine having a rotary supporting shaft, an adjustable mounting for a strip feeding device supported upon the shaft for longitudinal movement relative thereto, a longitudinally extendingrecess in the periphery of said shaft, a projection on the mounting extending within said recess preventing rotational move- 'ment thereof relative to theshaft, a latch carried by the mounting and engageable with the shaft in any one ofa number of predetermined positions to thereby lock the mounting against longitudinal movement relative to the shaft, a

strip feeding device adjustably supported upon said mounting for longitudinal movement relative thereto, a projection carried thereby and extending within the peripheral recess of the supporting shaft preventing rotational movement thereof relative to the shaft and mounting, and means for longitudinally adjusting the mounting relative to the latch to thereby adjust the the strip feeding device to selected positions of adjustment intermediate the predetermined positions of engagement of the latch withthe supporting shaft.

10. In a universally adjustable platen roll for a Writing machine having a'rotary supporting shaft, a reciprocating pin type strip feeding device adjustably secured to the shaft for unison rotary motion therewith and further adjustably carried thereby for longitudinal movement along the shaft, said strip feeding device surrounding said shaft and having an inoperative and operative position, a traveling interlock between the strip feeding device and supporting shaft preventing relative rotation thereof in any position of adjustment of the strip feeding device longitudinally of the shaft, a supplemental interlock therebetween engageable with the shaft in various predetermined positions of longitudinal adjustment to maintain the strip feeding device in adjusted position upon the shaft, an adjusting member interconnecting the supplemental interlock and the strip feeding device, movement of which minutely adjusts the strip feeding device relative to the interlock, and control means for adjusting the strip feeding device from inoperative to operative condition and vice versa, including a lever supported upon the shaft adjacent one end thereof and relative to which the shaft is free for relative rotation, the strip feeding device being adjustable longitudinally of the shaft relative thereto, and motion transmitting means interconnecting the lever and the strip feeding device relative to which the strip feeding device is adjustable longitudinally of the shaft while maintaining operative engagement therewith.

11. In a universally adjustable platen roll for a writing machine, a pin type strip feeding device having operative and inoperative positions, a supporting shaft therefor, an actuator for said supporting shaft, .an oscillatory lever supported adjacent a radial face of the shaft actuator; oscillatory motion transmitting means enclosed within the actuator and connected to the lever, a portion of said motion transmitting means extending longitudinally of they supporting shaft into engagement with the strip feeding device to actuate said device from operative to' inoperative position or vice versa, upon oscillation of the lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS a... an. 

